Periodontal Treatment

Periodontitis means "inflammation around the tooth" - it is a serious gum infection that damages the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth. All periodontal diseases, including periodontitis, are infections which affect the periodontium. The periodontium are the tissues around a tooth, tissues that support the tooth. With periodontitis, the alveolar bone around the teeth is slowly and progressively lost. Microorganisms, such as bacteria, stick to the surface of the tooth and multiply - an overactive immune system reacts with inflammation.

Untreated periodontitis will eventually result in tooth loss, and may increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and other health problems. Bacterial plaque, a sticky, colorless membrane that develops over the surface of teeth, is the most common cause of periodontal disease.
In dentistry, periodontics deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the gums and structures which support teeth. There are eight dental specialties, of which periodontics is one. If you want dental implants, you see a periodontist.

In most cases, periodontitis is preventable. It is usually caused by poor dental hygiene.
What is the difference between periodontitis and gingivitis?
Gingivitis occurs before periodontitis. Gingivitis usually refers to gum inflammation while periodontitis refers to gum disease and the destruction of tissue and/or bone. Initially, with gingivitis, bacteria plaque accumulates on the surface of the tooth, causing the gums to go red and inflamed; teeth may bleed when brushing them. Even though the gums are irritated and bothersome, the teeth are not loose. There is no irreversible damage to bone or surrounding tissue.

Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis. With periodontitis, the gum and bone pulls away from the teeth, forming large pockets. Debris collects in the spaces between the gums and teeth, and infect the area. The patient's immune system attacks bacteria as the plaque spreads below the gum line. Bone and connective tissue that hold the tooth start to break down - this is caused by toxins produced by the bacteria. Teeth become loose and can fall out.

Put simply, Periodontitis involves irreversible changes to the supporting structures of the teeth, while gingivitis does not.
What are the signs and symptoms of periodontitis
A symptom is something we feel and describe to the doctor, while a sign is something others, including the doctor can see. For example, pain is a symptom while redness or inflammation is a sign.

Periodontitis signs and symptoms can include:

Inflamed (swollen) gums, gum swelling recurs

Gums are bright red, sometimes purp

Gums hurt when touched

Gums recede, making teeth look longer

Extra spaces appear between the teeth

Pus may appear between the teeth and gums

Bleeding when brushing teeth

Bleeding when flossing

Metallic taste in the mouth

Halitosis (bad breath)

Loose teeth

The patient's "bite" feels different because the teeth do not fit the same

What are the causes of periodontitis?

Dental plaque forms on teeth - this is a pale-yellow biofilm that develops naturally on teeth. If is formed by bacteria that try to attach themselves to the tooth's smooth surface.

Brushing teeth gets rid of plaque, but it soon builds up; within a day or so.

If it is not removed, within two or three days it hardens into tartar. Tartar is much harder to remove than plaque. Another name for tartar is calculus. Getting rid of tartar requires a professional - you cannot do it yourself.

Plaque can gradually and progressively damage teeth and surrounding tissue. At first, the patient may develop gingivitis - inflammation of the gum around the base of the teeth.

Persistent gingivitis can result in pockets developing between the teeth and gums. These pockets fill up with bacteria.

Bacterial toxins and our immune system's response to infection start destroying the bone and connective tissue that hold teeth in place. Eventually the teeth start becoming loose, and can even fall out.

What are the risk factors for periodontitis?

A risk factor is something that increases the risk of developing a condition or disease. For example, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes type 2 - this means that obese people have a higher chance of developing diabetes. The following risk factors are linked to a higher risk of periodontitis:

Smoking - regular smokers are much more likely to develop gum problems. Smoking also undermines the efficacy of treatments.

Hormonal changes in females - puberty, pregnancy, and the menopause are moments in life when a female's hormones undergo changes. Such changes raise the risk of developing gum diseases.

Diabetes - patients who live with diabetes have a much higher incidence of gum disease than other individuals of the same age

AIDS - people with AIDS have more gum diseases

Cancer - cancer, and some cancer treatments can make gum diseases more of a problem

Some drugs - some medications that reduce saliva are linked to gum disease risk.

Genetics - some people are more genetically susceptible to gum diseases Diagnosing periodontitis

A qualified dentist should find it fairly straightforward to diagnose periodontitis. The dentist will ask the patient questions regarding symptoms and carry out an examination of his/her mouth.

The dentist will examine the patient's mouth using a periodontal probe - a thin, silver stick-like object with a bend at one end. The probe is inserted next to the tooth, under the gum line. If the tooth is healthy, the probe should not slide far below the gum line. In cases of periodontitis, the probe will reach deeper under the gum line.